Stuff 79: Why Go Out?

By J.J. Atwell

A twist on "why do we dress?”

I guess at one point we have all wondered why we dress. Following discussions online at several sites, I’ve never seen an answer that works for me. I usually just say I like the feeling of the clothes as the fact is that I enjoy it. Others will claim it’s a hormone imbalance in the womb. Others say there is a sexual thrill. There are many more theories as to why we dress. 

Today however, I’d like to address a slightly different question: why do we go out? Let’s think about that. 

The question came to me while I was out with the members of my CD group for a girls’ night out. We were at a restaurant that we’ve been to before and as I was sitting there looking at the other members I wondered just why we do this. No, not why we dress. Why we go out dressed.

It’s more than just the clothes

Many of us say we like the clothes. I’m good with that. Yes, it is fun to wear those pretty outfits. It’s a bit of a progression for many of us. Women’s clothing is made to fit the female shape. So we add feminine curves to make them hang right on our male frame. But we don’t stop there. We add wig and makeup because seeing a guy’s head on a woman’s body is incongruous. We also go further with the right accessories to complete the look. It seems to me that if it was “just the clothes” we wouldn’t go to all that extra trouble. But we do.

So here we are all dressed and enjoying ourselves at home. We should be satisfied, shouldn’t we be? We’re wearing the clothes and even went the extra step to complete the look. I suspect that many of Stana’s followers never get beyond the point of getting dressed and staying home. But here I am, along with other CDs, out in public rather than just staying home. Why?

I’ve got a couple of theories. One is that maybe it’s just too confining in our own home. Even if we aren’t just restricted to one room and can enjoy the whole house. We look outside and see the world out there. I remember Stana mentioning at one point that stepping out of the metaphorical closet shouldn’t mean trading up to a larger closet by going to known CD-friendly places. Instead we should break out of the closet and go out into real life situations. Perhaps that’s the reason many of us do it.

Another theory is that it’s a test to see how well we accomplish the transformation. We go to all the work to look good as women. Our mirror says we look good. Our pictures say we look good. Even the friends that know about us say we look good. But do we really look good enough to pass to the ordinary public? Should we look at his as being the ultimate test as to how well we accomplish our femme look? 

There are probably other reasons that haven’t occurred to me. I’d love to hear from other CDs as to why they go out. Please give this some thought as it relates to you. And please note that I’m a CD – not a woman trapped in a man’s body. So my point of view may be different from those who are considering transitioning. 

I’ll be back

I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing Boston Proper

Aleksandr Revva femulating in the Russian film Naughty Grandma 3.

The Bathroom Tissue

Past Lives

Some crossdressers believe they were female in a past life—a belief that blends gender identity, spiritual tradition, and personal intuition. While not universal, this idea is meaningful for those who feel a deep, inexplicable connection to femininity that they say goes beyond psychology or social influence.

Spiritual and Metaphysical Foundations

Many of these beliefs stem from spiritual systems that accept reincarnation or past-life memory, such as:

Hinduism and Buddhism, where the soul is believed to reincarnate across lifetimes, potentially changing gender with each cycle.

New Age spirituality, where regression therapy, hypnosis, or meditative journeys are used to "uncover" past lives.

Western esotericism, which often includes ideas of soul essence transcending gender.

In this context, a crossdresser might say, “I don't dress like a woman because I want to be one—I'm remembering who I was.”

Psychological Resonance

Some crossdressers report that feminine behavior, clothing and social roles feel instantly familiar, comforting or even inevitable, as if they are returning to something already known.

They may:

Gravitate toward vintage styles from specific eras (e.g., 1940s housewives, Victorian ladies) they have no personal experience of.

Feel distress or confusion living as male, which lessens when presenting femininely—seen not as a fetish, but as alignment with their “true” past self.

Report childhood dreams or vivid fantasies that feel more like memories than imagination.

Expression Through Crossdressing

For these individuals, crossdressing is not merely about gender play or sexual excitement—it’s a spiritual or emotional homecoming.

They might:

Create a female persona that they believe mirrors their former self.

Talk about “her” in third person while still embodying her through dress and behavior.

Feel peaceful or complete only when living in sync with this past-life identity.

Crossdressing, then, becomes a kind of soul retrieval or incarnation echo—a way of honoring a former existence.

Criticisms and Cautions

Not everyone embraces these beliefs and even within crossdressing and trans communities, such claims can be met with skepticism. Critics point out:

The difficulty of verifying past lives,

The possibility of romanticizing femininity as an escape,

Or the use of metaphysical language to rationalize crossdressing without confronting present-life gender issues.

That said, for many who feel deeply called to femininity, believing in a past-life identity offers validation and comfort, particularly if their current life restricts full gender expression.

Wearing Paige

Tommy Scott femulating in Space's music video for “Begin Again.”
Click here to view this video on YouTube.

Our Culture

The culture around femulating is rich, affirming and evolving—a vibrant intersection of gender expression, personal identity and community. Unlike casual crossdressing or drag performance, femulating represents a lifestyle and mindset where male-bodied individuals present and live as women in everyday settings, sometimes part-time, sometimes full-time.

Here’s a breakdown of the cultural elements surrounding femulating.

Aspirational Femininity

Femulating isn’t just about putting on clothes—it’s about emulating womanhood as completely as possible. This includes:

    Feminine gestures, posture and vocal tone

    Wearing age-appropriate women’s clothing, often business or social attire

    Adopting traditionally female hobbies, roles and social behaviors

    Using female names and pronouns during presentation

Rather than parody or exaggeration (like drag), it aims for realistic and respectful embodiment.

Everyday Womanhood

Femulators often integrate into daily life as women—shopping, dining out, traveling, attending church or work (when possible). It’s a way of life that affirms:

    Confidence: “Going out en femme” is a personal triumph over fear.

    Validation: Positive public interactions help reinforce the identity.

    Routine: Makeup, hair and feminine dress become habitual rather than special-occasion.

Femulating can transform from “crossdressing” into just dressing.

Learning and Mentorship

Femulators often learn from:

    Other femulators, especially older ones who’ve paved the way

    Online resources: blogs, YouTube tutorials, makeover studios

    Historical inspiration: Classic film stars (e.g., Joan Crawford, Grace Kelly) are icons

    Trial and error: Mistakes in appearance or voice become lessons in the journey

There’s an oral and visual tradition of transformation tips, often generously shared.

Community

Femulating thrives in supportive peer groups, both online and in-person.

    Meetups: Formal events like Fantasia Fair or Esprit or informal dinners or teas

    Online forums: Reddit’s r/crossdressing, TransPulse, or blogs like Femulate.org

    Social media: Many femulators post selfies, routines, and “out and about” photos

These communities offer affirmation, feedback, and connection—crucial for confidence.

Intersection with Identity

While not all femulators identify as transgender, the line between femulating and transitioning is often porous.

    Some femulators eventually come out as trans women

    Others view it as a dual-gender lifestyle

    Some are heterosexual males expressing a profound feminine side without altering gender     identity

There’s space for ambiguity and self-definition.

Fashion and Ritual

Femulating carries its own aesthetic culture.

    Office lady chic, classic skirt-suits, hosiery and heels are mainstays

    Many embrace “mature femininity” modeling after stylish middle-aged women

    Lingerie, shapewear and the ritual of dressing are central to the experience

    Shopping (especially in person) becomes a rite of passage

Femulating isn’t just a look—it’s a performance of grace, often tied to nostalgia for “ladylike” elegance.

Philosophy and Meaning

Many femulators describe the practice as:

    Spiritually centering or emotionally soothing

    A liberation from rigid masculinity

    A way to connect with empathy, softness, and beauty

    An act of gender defiance or private truth-telling

Some find deep peace and authenticity when they’re in femme mode, even if only temporarily.

And so it goes.

Source: Rent the Runway

Libor Landa femulating in the Czech Republic film Kamenak.

Stana Short

Short hemlines are synonymous with crossdressers for a few interrelated cultural, psychological and historical reasons.

Hyperfeminization

Crossdressers often aim to emphasize femininity, sometimes in exaggerated or idealized ways. Short skirts, high heels and revealing clothing are stereotypically feminine and have long been seen as bold symbols of womanhood.

Short hemlines equals instant visual femininity. A mini skirt leaves no ambiguity—it screams “female presentation” in a way jeans or modest dresses don't.

Sexual Expression and Taboo

For many crossdressers, dressing is tied to exploration fantasy, and sometimes eroticism. Short skirts play into this:

Tantalizing and transgressive

Wearing a short skirt, especially as a man socialized under traditional norms, feels daring and taboo—adding to the thrill.

Visibility and display

A short hem makes the transformation more obvious, almost performative.

Media and Pop Culture Influence

Crossdressers in films, drag shows and viral videos are often shown in ultra-feminine outfits—tight, short and eye-catching. Think: Tootsie, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Halloween costumes or drag brunches.

These depictions shape public and private imagination about “what crossdressing looks like.”

Affirmation and Identity

A short skirt may feel like a badge of courage, especially for someone asserting a non-masculine identity in a society that polices male dress:

“If I can wear this, I can wear anything.”

The exposure is both literal and metaphorical—revealing and affirming.

Missed Youth / Fashion Catch-Up

Some crossdressers begin dressing later in life, having been denied the chance to wear what girls wore as teens or young women. Mini skirts are often seen as “young girl clothes”—so some crossdressers are, in a sense, dressing their inner teenager. It’s a way of reclaiming missed experiences or indulging in a “second adolescence.”

Visibility Within the Community

Within crossdressing spaces—support groups, meetups, online communities—short skirts are part of a shared visual language. They signal membership, boldness, and pride.

“If you’ve got the legs for it… flaunt it.”

This Girl Can’t Help It!

Some if not all of the preceding reasons can apply to me, but the main reason my hemlines are too short is that my legs are too long! At my height, hemlines that are supposed to fall at the knee, fall above the knee on me. Similarly, dresses with hemlines above the knee are mid-thigh on me or “Stana Short.”

Yes, they do sell clothing for tall women, but the selection is limited and the styles are not my style. On the other hand, the styles at the middle of the height spectrum are limitless. This girl can always find something she likes and just has to endure a shorter than normal hemline (wink, wink).

Wearing Alice + Olivia

Sid Silvers femulating in the film Broadway Melody of 1936.

The Femulators of Flamingo Court

Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. sharp, the retired men of Flamingo Court gathered at the community center for coffee, stale danish and intense games of competitive grumbling.

They were proud old-school gents—gray slacks, orthopedic shoes and enough nasal hair to knit a throw blanket. Their leader, by sheer volume and mustache alone, was Stanley, a former insurance adjuster known affectionately (and loudly) as “Stanley the Manley.”

But Stanley had a secret.

When not playing backgammon or lecturing teenagers on proper lawn mower etiquette, Stanley was Stana—a proud femulator with a passion for pencil skirts, floral blouses and reading Vogue while eating frosted mini-wheats.

One day, he arrived late to the meeting wearing suspiciously well-shaped eyebrows and a hint of shimmer on his cheekbones.

“Stanley,” grunted Arnie, peering over his bifocals, “you’re looking… glossy.”

“New moisturizer,” Stanley lied, sipping his coffee with pinky extended. “Also, I’ve discovered something that may change our lives.”

“Is it a blood pressure medication that doesn’t cause spontaneous naps?”

“No,” Stanley said, standing dramatically. “It’s femulating.”

The room fell silent.

“Femulating?” asked Donny, who still called Netflix “the internet movie box.”

“Yes,” Stanley beamed. “It’s the art of dressing and behaving like a refined lady of culture. And I happen to be… quite good at it.”

He whipped off his blazer to reveal a flowing lavender blouse with pearl buttons.

Murray dropped his cruller.

Arnie clutched his chest—not from offense, but from the sudden realization that Stanley’s shoes were really cute.

“I know it sounds wild,” Stanley said, fluffing his short auburn wig, “but being Stana is the most relaxed, confident, fabulous I’ve ever felt. And I think all of you could use a little… zhuzh.”

There was a long pause.

Then Donny mumbled, “I’ve always wanted to try one of those silky robe things.”

By the following Wednesday, something miraculous had happened.

The Flamingo Court Gentlemen’s Club was now The Flamingo Femulators’ Fellowship.

Gone were the gray slacks and orthopedic monotony. In their place: scarves, cardigans, tasteful jewelry and surprisingly decent contouring skills for men with tremors.

Arnie became Arlene, known for her statement brooches and uncanny ability to walk in kitten heels with a walker.

Donny became Dawn, and insisted on being called “Madame Treasurer” while managing the snack fund.

Murray, now Marlene, wore bold lipstick and refused to answer to anything else.

They took a field trip to the mall in a minivan blaring ABBA. They started a book club that only read romance novels with shirtless pirates. They got kicked out of bingo night for “excessive sass and feather boa shedding.”

And Stanley? He stood at the center of it all, hands on hips, pearls shining, proud as a peacock in a paisley pantsuit.

“Gentlemen,” he declared one Thursday during tea, “we have not lost our manhood. We have simply… accessorized it.”

And nobody ever went back.

Except Frank. Frank tried to, but came crawling back after two days in khakis, muttering, “I miss the breeze under a skirt.”

The Flamingo Femulators had found their calling. And their signature shade of lipstick: “Sunset Sangria.”

Wearing Ann Taylor

Bartek Kasprzykowski imitating Eugeniusz Bodo femulating Mae West on Polish television’s Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo.

Stuff 78: Dream Outfits

By J.J. Atwell

What is a “dream outfit”?

Remember the movie Dream Girls? It came out in 2006 and was loosely based on the Motown girl group The Supremes. Growing up, I loved The Supremes and their lead singer Diana Ross when she went out on her own. I’m not sure what I loved more, the music or the outfits they wore. That leads me to today’s topic about dream outfits.

What to you mean “dream outfit”? I’m defining it as that dress you lust for. The one you saw on a woman in the street, in a picture or on the big screen or perhaps on a red carpet award show. Actually, it doesn’t have to be a dress. It could be any great looking outfit. Something you really want to try on just to see how you look in it.

What would be your dream outfit?

From trolling the typical CD sites, I see many interested in wedding dresses or fancy prom style dresses. I’ll say that I do love the thought of those. Especially if they would look good on my (enhanced) body. But for this exercise, don’t worry about reality. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have to have that perfect body for this exercise. 

So let’s hear it. How about a cheerleader outfit? French maid? 50’s housewife? Square dance girl? A slutty streetwalker? Lots of stereotypes we could fashion ourselves after. I’ll admit that some of those are interesting, but others seem to be offensive to me. Should we include outfits that basically denigrate women? A tough call.

Do you actually have a dream outfit?

So how many of you really have that dream outfit in your closet. Or better yet, have worn it out in the real world. 

My answer to those two questions is “no.” I don’t have my dream outfit, so I haven’t worn it out in the real world either. I will say that my dream outfit would probably be something slinky, probably red sequined and glittery shoes to go with it. 

I’ll be back

I’ll be back with more Stuff for sure. Comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff so let me know what you would like to read about.

Wearing Cinq à Sept

Glenn Shadix femulating on television's The Golden Girls.

The Boys Are Back In Gowns

 

Happy Independence Day!

Wearing Claudie Pierlot

Actors playing femulating Army men in the 1943 film This Is the Army.
Click here to watch the film on YouTube.